Best flatwounds to use with a J-Retro

[fourstringbliss]

I have an MIA Fender Jazz with a J-Retro. The pickups are the stock American Jazzes and the bridge is string-through. What would be my best bet for flatwounds?

[fretlessrock]

Why would the preamp matter?

I use the same flats on evey bass, passive or active, and they are TI Jazz Flats. The TIs have a good feel and they break in well. I don't change them out much, and I play them a lot. I have a J-Retro that I have installed in several J basses and I always liked the way the TI Flats sound on them.

I've alo used D'Addario Chromes in light gauge and I like them a lot as well, but they sound darker and not as even as the TIs.

[glwanabe]

sorry, left my computer unattended, "friends" typed an answer
on top of some of my answer. I edited it out for being rather harsh.

I was going to say something along the lines of Fretless rock.
I don't think the preamp should make that much of a difference. Find the strings you like and use them.

[zongeek]

Originally Posted by fretlessrock

Why would the preamp matter?

I use the same flats on evey bass, passive or active, and they are TI Jazz Flats. The TIs have a good feel and they break in well. I don't change them out much, and I play them a lot. I have a J-Retro that I have installed in several J basses and I always liked the way the TI Flats sound on them.

I've alo used D'Addario Chromes in light gauge and I like them a lot as well, but they sound darker and not as even as the TIs.

it always seemed to me that d'addario's were a little brighter than the TI's. not much, btu a little. but that the chromes had a bit darker bottom that the TI's. maybe my hearing is going. anyway, i just htought they both boosted the lows and had the highs and mids there, but i thought d'addarios were more mid/high present. coudl it be a matter of eq and what not?

[fretlessrock]

Originally Posted by zongeek

it always seemed to me that d'addario's were a little brighter than the TI's. not much, btu a little. but that the chromes had a bit darker bottom that the TI's. maybe my hearing is going. anyway, i just htought they both boosted the lows and had the highs and mids there, but i thought d'addarios were more mid/high present. coudl it be a matter of eq and what not?

Surely could be. That is what makes discussions about gear so maddening. I had a fresh set of both and compared them. To me the TIs are all about the mids, and I play rock with them and like the way they cut without being harsh in the high end. I'd say that you are right on the Chromes: more in the bottom and top, not as much mids. My high end hearing is OK, but I have an 8k ring (tinnitis) so maybe it biases me.

[zongeek]

Originally Posted by fretlessrock

Surely could be. That is what makes discussions about gear so maddening. I had a fresh set of both and compared them. To me the TIs are all about the mids, and I play rock with them and like the way they cut without being harsh in the high end. I'd say that you are right on the Chromes: more in the bottom and top, not as much mids. My high end hearing is OK, but I have an 8k ring (tinnitis) so maybe it biases me.

ah ok. cool. well i push a little mor mids in my eq than the average guy i guess. mayeb that would play into what im hearing as well. ill have to get some TI's. ive yet to do it and try them, but i will. thanks

[Beefbass]

With a preamp, IMHO it shouldn't matter if a string is a bit middy or not. Unless it doesn't have a midrange cut/boost (which I believe the J-retro has) you can always dial in a little more, or cut it back a bit.

My MIM's are passive, with DiMarzio's.

The fretted has TI's-they seem to work well with the Ultrajazz pickups in it.

The fretless has Chromes-the Model J's have a more pronounced midrange than the ultrajazz, so the chromes work well with these.

Given your situation, I would recommend either Chromes, or TI's. It's just gonna be a matter of what you like best, cause YMMV.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

With a preamp, IMHO it shouldn't matter if a string is a bit middy or not. Unless it doesn't have a midrange cut/boost (which I believe the J-retro has) you can always dial in a little more, or cut it back a bit.

My MIM's are passive, with DiMarzio's.

The fretted has TI's-they seem to work well with the Ultrajazz pickups in it.

The fretless has Chromes-the Model J's have a more pronounced midrange than the ultrajazz, so the chromes work well with these.

Given your situation, I would recommend either Chromes, or TI's. It's just gonna be a matter of what you like best, cause YMMV.

Thanks for the info! I'll probably go with the chromes 'cause I've heard they have a bit of a brighter sound (which I could always dial out) and they're definitely cheaper. I've heard that TI's last forever though - is that what you've found?

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Thanks for the info! I'll probably go with the chromes 'cause I've heard they have a bit of a brighter sound (which I could always dial out) and they're definitely cheaper. I've heard that TI's last forever though - is that what you've found?

IME, the TI's do last a long long time

The chromes should too. Usually a good flatwound will.

Hope that helps

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

IME, the TI's do last a long long time

The chromes should too. Usually a good flatwound will.

Hope that helps

The bridge on my Jazz Bass is only string-through - will these work for me even though they aren't tapercore?

[LoveThatBass]

I went with TI Flats on my MIA Jazz.
Love them. However, if you are looking to retain some of that Growl I suggest Chromes.
I went with the TI's because they eliminate much of it but I can get some with the right EQ and Attack.

[JimmyM]

Allow me to dissent on the TI flats. I gave away the set I had because they were all midrange and springy feel. I much prefer the 6 year old Labella stainless flats I had on there before, so I put them back on. I wouldn't buy a set of strings to accent the preamp myself. Just use whatever you think is good.

BTW, non-tapercore strings work just fine on through-body bridges. That was a myth started by tapercore fans and salesmen.

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Allow me to dissent on the TI flats. I gave away the set I had because they were all midrange and springy feel. I much prefer the 6 year old Labella stainless flats I had on there before, so I put them back on. I wouldn't buy a set of strings to accent the preamp myself. Just use whatever you think is good.

BTW, non-tapercore strings work just fine on through-body bridges. That was a myth started by tapercore fans and salesmen.

I've owned basses with thru body stringing. Always used non-taper core strings on them, never a problem. Never heard that myth before myself, but the way some folks try to market stuff, it doesn't surprise me that it existed.


I go with what sounds good on a particular bass. D'addario has worked best for me, so thats what I use 99 percent of the time. I like the sound of TI's for recording, but like a heavier string when playing in a full band situation.

I agree-use whatever works best for you. Different strokes for different folks.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

I've owned basses with thru body stringing. Always used non-taper core strings on them, never a problem. Never heard that myth before myself, but the way some folks try to market stuff, it doesn't surprise me that it existed.


I go with what sounds good on a particular bass. D'addario has worked best for me, so thats what I use 99 percent of the time. I like the sound of TI's for recording, but like a heavier string when playing in a full band situation.

I agree-use whatever works best for you. Different strokes for different folks.

Do you use, or have you used, the Chromes?

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Do you use, or have you used, the Chromes?

Not with a string thru design. I'm currently using them on my fretless jazz. I really like them.